Supporting loved ones during therapy isn’t always easy. Whether someone is struggling with stress, mood disorders, substance abuse, or trauma, knowing how to be there for someone can be difficult. One of the best ways to support someone during therapy is through self-education. Understanding various types of therapy, like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, can help people support friends and family undergoing treatment.
If you or a woman in your life is ready to try an EMDR therapy program, The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® can help. Call us now at 855.773.0614 to learn about our holistic women’s programs, helping young women ages 18-30 recover, reconnect, and thrive.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an experiential therapy that helps people process traumatic memories through eye movements. While it may sound complex, EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This means EMDR focuses on how someone’s eyes move when recalling a traumatic memory. It then uses eye movement to desensitize the memory.
While EMDR is highly effective, there are still many things scientists don’t understand about how EMDR works. By studying rapid eye movement during REM sleep, scientists can draw connections between eye movement, memory, and physical stimulation. In a therapeutic setting, studies show that changing eye movement patterns can reduce physical and emotional responses to traumatic memories, rewiring the brain.
While studies and understanding of trauma and traumatic memory are constantly developing, EMDR gives clients an easy, non-invasive approach to trauma therapy.
Tips for Supporting Someone During EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy goes through several sessions. These sessions may happen every week or so, depending on a client’s needs, sensitivities, and other therapies. During these sessions, a therapist works with clients to recall traumatic memories. This is often the most challenging part of the process. During memory recall, the therapist provides visual stimulation by moving a pen, showing the client images, or using EMDR machines. Through this slow and gentle therapy, clients experience very few side effects.
Loved ones need to realize that clients may have disturbing dreams and experience heightened emotions during treatments. Clients may also experience changes in physical sensations and experience increased physical sensitivity. They may or may not want to talk about their EMDR experience with loved ones. These feelings are a natural part of the EMDR treatment process.
Start EMDR Therapy In North Carolina Today and See the Difference
If someone in your life is ready for EMDR, it’s important to cultivate a safe, nurturing space. Allow your friend or loved one the opportunity to share their experience in their own time. Talking with your own therapist or together with a family therapist can also help you support someone during EMDR therapy. Avoid judgemental language and consider trying EMDR yourself to understand your loved one’s experience better. Because EMDR focuses on traumatic memory, it’s important to remember that common things can trigger trauma responses.
Learn More About EMDR at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®
If you or a woman in your life is ready to try EMDR, or you’re ready to learn more about EMDR therapy, The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® can help. Our North Carolina trauma-focused clinic helps women ages 18-30 rest, reset, and restore. At The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, we believe in long-term care. That’s why our programs allow women 90 days of holistic recovery in beautiful North Carolina. With 12-step programs, relapse prevention, alumni programs, and other tools for addiction, trauma, and co-occurring disorders, the community at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® is here for you.
Call The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® now at 855.773.0614 to learn more about our EMDR programs and get started today.
